What do you do with your kids Halloween Candy?

Jazmyne - posted on 10/26/2012

Well this thread is a little old, however I will be taking my son trick or treating this year. We wont be enjoying the candy though. I have hypoglycemia, so I cant have any and Jake is only 9 months so he wont get any candy. However I will be taking him out to show him off :)

Lindsay - posted on 10/26/2012

Of course candy is a part of Halloween, but here are some tips to keep the junk a bit more in check. Feel free to use or adapt these tip! http://cspinet.org/new/pdf/halloween.pdf

Kitty - posted on 11/04/2011

I HIDE IT.. LOL he gets 1 pc of candy 3x a week is all...

Sherri - posted on 11/03/2011

You are a great dedicated mom Amy.

Amy - posted on 11/03/2011

It is awful, sherri!!! I want it so bad! but makes her very grouchy. She's almost 5 months old. I can't afford to do formula, so it is what it is. Countdown to next summer's pigout of chocolate!!!

Sherri - posted on 11/03/2011

Oh I can't imagine having to give up chocolate because of nursing. That would be the end of nursing for me. LOL

Amy - posted on 11/03/2011

full sized bars - rich people or people who don't want TP-ed. lol. We have two giant baskets too.

I thought I could have some candy too. Nope, two tiny little kit kats and nursing....my daughter was SO grouchy. Sorry, punkin. No more candy for mommy. Feel so bad when my daughter's like "oh, you love these, want one?" no. can't. charlotte gets grouchy. :( i'd LOVE to, but can't. then a sad little face goes and puts it in her basket. lol

Sally - posted on 11/03/2011

We have been sorting our candy like crazy. She got so much this year. 11 full sized bars, who does that? I was surprised. She has a giant bowl of candy. The extra large tupperware bowl full. But so far she has been in control, except for the gum.I took it away. She can't stop from running with it in her mouth. Anything she doesn't like, we have put aside for our Gingerbread House. We decorate at least 2 every year. She got a lot of skittles which make great Gingerbread paths and Christmas lights on the roof line. Since she won't eat them, they go to a good use. :)
We haven't had any problem with over eating yet. Nor with her being sugar hyper. She tends to look at it more than eat it. The bowl is on her art table, she has freedom to eat it whenever she wants, she ate 2 pieces this AM and then asked for some oatmeal. Never finished the 2nd piece. I am happy she has the control I don't have. I can't have it around me or I go crazy with. But I had an over controlling mother.

Cynthia - posted on 11/02/2011

my son go way more candy hen i expected him to get. he will be eating way too much candy for a few weeks...

Schmoopy - posted on 11/02/2011

We don't take the candy away, but we do offer a Candy Exchange. This year we're throwing a party and opening a "book store" for the day. Guests bring 10 books each and all the candy they want to "spend." We donate the collected candy to the Ronald McDonald House and the left over books to my daughter's school library.

It's a win / win!

Danielle - posted on 10/31/2011

Once trick or treating is over and we go home I go through all the candy, and give them one or two pieces a piece and then the rest is hidden and given to them as rewards for chores or good grades and treats every once in a while. Last yr we had candy up until this summer when I threw the rest out lol.

Stifler's - posted on 10/31/2011

And I agree with Kate it's not just a kids holiday and I hate it when people say Christmas is all about the kids pfft fuck off.

Stifler's - posted on 10/30/2011

I would let mine eat it.

Good Day! - posted on 10/26/2011

That's great, Sally. Sounds like you have an amazing kid.

Amy - posted on 10/26/2011

some kids handle sugar well. others don't. mine have problems with dye. I don't let them eat lots with dye at one time - makes my daughter pee her pants.Not cool. So we space it out. I do look for choking hazards/gum/anything dangerous looking and put it up for later. I dont' want my 2 year old to have access to ten pieces of chewing gum to be left all over the house!

Our basic rule is the night of trick or treat we usually have friends over and we let them eat whatever [besides gum] that first night warning them that too much could result in tummy aches. they do pretty well. of course, we don't let them trick or treat forever. when their lil bags are full, they're done! Daddy and I have been known to ask for a few pieces and they gladly share. Usually with some candies there are memories and it's fun times. I have noticed though a lot of people handing out goldfish/pretzels and things like that. I LOVE that. And so do the kids.

I am not for gifts for every stinkin little thing. i think the pumpkin candy for gift thing is silly.

Sally - posted on 10/24/2011

An update, a local communtiy group sponsered trick or treating this past weekend at a stripmall. My husband took my daughter. She got a small bucket of candy, not a lot. She asked can I eat my candy? I told her eat however much you want, it is yours to eat whenever you want. As long as you brush your teeth, I don't care. It is sitting on the table, has been there since Saturday about 3pm. She has eaten maybe 3 pieces. There is candy in it that she loves, but since she is in control of it she hasn't bugged us, over indulged, gotten hyper or sugared up. She even looked at this morning before school but decided to wait until she got home because she "wanted some real food for breakfast." It is not a big deal because it is not forbidden. She isn't 5 yet, but she has internal control. Something most of us lack.

Kitty - posted on 10/23/2011

mine do get there candy 1 pc once a week !

Kitty - posted on 10/20/2011

i put it away and I give him 2 a week not 2 a day lol

Angelina - posted on 10/16/2011

Hi Sally,
I'm not a spoil sport and we look forward to Halloween every year. I have a 2 year old and a 16 year old and we all dress up and get candy candy candy!!! Free for all for sure and take out the yuk yuk ones :) Some people are way too uptight. There are not dyes in every candy actually Hershey Chocolate Co candies have no dyes in them and i see lots of Hershey's at Halloween. We eat candy a few times a week and it never causes any problems. We have had candy a few days in a row and it never caused problems. I think some people have fun exaggerating. Oh boy what a kill joy. Anyways, Happy Halloween everybody take your kids out get dressed up a eat lots of candy with or without dyes!!!
-Angie

September - posted on 10/14/2011

Our son, who is only 3 and not really big on sweets (we don't give it to him very often) so we only trick or treat at Grandma's and his Aunt and Uncle's houses. They tend to give him more healthy types of things and of course candy too and we let him enjoy it. When he gets older we will allow him to trick or treat the whole neighborhood and have a hay day with the candy :)

Sally - posted on 10/13/2011

Ok, started costume thread. Left my opinions out of it for now. I will weigh in later.

Sally - posted on 10/13/2011

I will not come out and say I have never bribed my child. I will say that it rarely happens. And I do mean rare. To use your example, I wouldn't & don't say "if you get dressed, we can go to the park." I would say " when you get dressed, we will leave for the park." I phrase it as a statement. Not a bribe or something to be earned. I do not use the words "if you" do this then you will get/do ?... I do not bribe for going to bed, I didn't use stickers for potty learning. We also do not use time outs. We avoid punitive punishments as much as possible. Do I slip up? Yep, I do. More than I would like. My Mom died last year and during the stress I reverted back to what most would consider more normal parenting. I digress off topic though. Sorry.
Bribes are rare at our house, and are most often from my husband when they do occur. I tend to say what we are going to do without a threat or withholding something. Such as the park, a bike ride or even a TV show. TV is limited, so she will ask for a show and instead of saying "if you pick up your polly pockets without fussing and brush your teeth then you can have a show." I may say something like "Bed time is 8 and there are polly pockets to be picked up and teeth to be brushed. You can watch a show in the AM." If she happens to pick up quickly, not likely with polly pockets, I may say "It looks like we have time for a short show or you can read a book." I ahve no problem changing my stance based on her actions but not as a bribe. At no time would I say "pick up quick and you get TV". Same goes for food, I do not use ice cream or cookies as a bribe to finish dinner or whatever. If we happen to have sweets, again rare, I would say "your cookie is on the counter, when your lunch is finished it is waiting for you." It is a totally different context then if you phrase it as a reward. "you can have your cookie as soon as you finish your lunch." I put the control in her hands not mine. She can finish her lunch or not, I don't care. Her cookie will be there waiting. It is not a threat or a bribe I am not taking it away from her. She has the power, and she will say I am not eating my lunch right now, will you put my cookie in a zippy for me? Sure. Since it hasn't been withheld it holds no great power over her. The words change the context, it gives the child power over the outcome. Switch the word "if you" to "when" and you are no longer threatening action. And the negitive is taken out of the interaction.
Off topic again, sorry. Tried to answer the do I ever bribe question, but it is a bit long. Oops.

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 10/13/2011

I just find it hard to believe that you've never ever bribed your child. You've never said, "hey if you get dressed we'll go to the park!" or something similar. That's still a "bribe" or something encouraged by an adult. Or is it just selling candy to dentists that bothers you? I really find it interesting that you're so passionate about this. You're a candy activist! lol

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 10/13/2011

Lots of things that kids do are encouraged by parents. I encourage my child to brush her teeth, pee in the potty, not hit her sister, etc. If I was going to sell every piece of candy my kids got and not let them have any then I wouldn't waste my time trick or treating. It sounds like the moms on here let their kids eat some and then sell the rest.

Sherri - posted on 10/13/2011

I agree with Sara start the character costume thread.

Good Day! - posted on 10/13/2011

Once again, no one is being FORCED to give up their candy. My husband, my daughter and I eat ALL we want from the bag of collected candy. What's left and what we get rid of (be it by adding to the world's trash pile or donating or selling) is what we wouldn't eat anyway. It's not as if she's pitching a screaming fit as I'm prying the candy out of her hands. She doesn't care, because it's the crap candy.

And I do think some people on here agree with you. But not everyone will. It's what makes the world go round. Go ahead and start the character costume thread. Could be fun.

Sally - posted on 10/13/2011

No, really Sheri I think kids with a peanut allergy should have a Reeses P-Nut Butter Cup....
Thank you, of course I don't mean an allergy.

Sherri - posted on 10/13/2011

Obviously her point was not for kids that had an allergy or for whatever reason couldn't eat it. It was for every normal child that kind of gets forced to give up their candy.

I kind of agree with her. Halloween to me was such an awesome part of my childhood and having to give back all the candy I got from trick or treating for a bribe would have changed so many of those memories and not for the better either I think.

Kate CP - posted on 10/13/2011

It's not a bribe it's an exchange for something they can't have anyway! If the kid is allergic to the candy or they're not age ready for the candy (like hard candies for young kids) then why not exchange it for something else? It doesn't have to be money they are exchanging it for it could be a different type of candy or a toy or a privilege or whatever.

Seriously, what is the big damn deal?

And what's wrong with character costumes? Admittedly a lot of them annoy me but if my daughter wants to be Jasmine for Halloween I grit my teeth and bear it.

Sally - posted on 10/13/2011

Using Candy as a commodity. No child ever came to an adult and said "hey, I will sell you my candy." That came from adults to a child. It is using money to get the candy away from them. Money is the bribe. And it is totally pushed by the adults. I don't see how you could be confused by my position.

It is kind of sad, the whole thing make me want to skip giving candy out. Oh well, it is what it is. I thought maybe a few would get where I was coming from, guess not. Guess I won't start a thread on how I feel about character costumes, probably would go over just as well as this one did. :)

Joy - posted on 10/13/2011

I do like the idea of selling it to the dentist though! I've never heard of that before. I'm gonna call and see if they do that here. The last two years in a row I've ended up tossing candy. I figure if it sits there more than a few months, it's not gonna get eaten.

Joy - posted on 10/13/2011

For us, it's the whole thing....dressing up, getting candy, looking at the cool decorations and checking out all the other kids' cool costumes. I let Jacob (almost 4yo) keep some of his candy. I sort through it first, pull out any hard candies or gum balls or jawbreakers. He's still too little for those and I worry about him choking on anything small, round and hard. I usually keep the bag of candy up high and out of sight after Halloween night but on the actual night, I let him have all he wants, within reason. Then after that, if he asks for a piece now and then and it's not 5 minutes before a meal then I let him have one. I've also been known to carry Halloween candy in my purse to use to bribe him in stores lol

Kate CP - posted on 10/13/2011

How the hell is buying candy from a kid who doesn't want it or can't have it any way a bribe?!

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 10/13/2011

I'm sure that not everyone is like this, but my friends that didn't celebrate Halloween never dressed up. They stayed home from school during the Halloween party and sometimes their church had a movie night during trick or treat, but there was no candy involved. From what I understand they feel like it's the devil's holiday, but I may be wrong. I just know none of my friends went ahead and dressed up and got candy, but claimed they didn't celebrate it.

Sally - posted on 10/13/2011

My Sister would be so dissapointed in me, I completely forgot about Saturnalia. Thats what happens when I type tired. Sis is the holiday origin walking dictionary.

I posted in the Debate board because I knew it would draw debate. Did I phrase it all wrong in my opening post? Most likely. My original post was posted while in bed with a stomach virus, wasn't 100% focused. Still, the gist of it was intact. I don't post much on these boards, takes too much time. Usually just pop in and out when I am not feeling well or daughter is sick. Thats about the only time I have down time to play around online. I like the debate. And I detest bribing kids for ANY reason. So when a fun event get paired with a blatant bribe, it hits a button with me. There was actually an Ad on TV yesterday for a Dentist, who has 3 offices to take candy on Nov. 1st. Again a hot button for me.

Tara - posted on 10/13/2011

I LOVED trick or treating when I was young, I was so excited about all of it, the dressing up, the spookiness and of course the candy. I agree, Halloween isn't what it used to be. I remember pretty much every house on the block having fun decorations, making it all 'scary' :) I am all for going out. I have a 3 year old and we have gone out 2 yrs now. I however don't let him eat any 'candy' so no suckers, hard candies etc. he is allowed to have the chocolate though! The first year and last year he barely ate any of it but he likes chocolate so I imagine this year he will want more of it. Last year he loved going out and seeing all the pumpkins and scary guys and loved dressing up. This year he picked out a cute monster costume from old navy. I personally don't believe in giving any young child 'candy' especially 4 and under. However your child, your choice, I am not here to judge. I just don't see the point in giving it to them as they don't really know any different if it isn't introduced and it doesn't help their teeth any. On another note, if you give candy then just brush their teeth right after. I do feel that it is still a treat each day just like any other day. I won't be letting him just dig in and eat as much as he wants as he is way to young still. We decorate our place up outside too and because we live in an area with a lot of smaller children I buy treats that are great for them such as fruit snacks, playdoh and chocolate :)

Kate CP - posted on 10/13/2011

"Something you're born into" sounds SO elitist. :/ No, any one can be a Pagan. Paganism is really just a grouping of religions surrounding the ideal of multiple gods and goddesses. Look into it, if you like the ideas and beliefs of one specific religion then go for it.

"Didn't the pagans kind of start the whole tradition of giving gifts during the time we now call Christmas? As part of the celebration of the return of light? Of longer days and the rebirth of earth?
( I suppose Celtic's would be a more PC term then Pagan's???)
ETA- Or is it Druids? Must be Druids, now that I think about it..."
-->First of all, I mentioned Christmas because you were saying that the whole reason for Halloween is to go trick or treating (or you eluded to that point) and I was pointing out that there is more to the holiday than just getting candy...like there's more to the Christian holiday of Christmas than just getting presents. But, the tradition of exchanging presents dates back to Roman era during the celebration of Saturnalia. Christians took it into their celebrations to symbolize the gifts of the magi to the Christ child.

"...And I would rather see dancing in loincloths and bonfires, then kids being motivated by bribes and greed.
Although, I think loincloth might be the wrong term for pagan garb. :)
I am all for Faerie Cakes. That is a great idea. May have to steal that idea. Maybe work it into a midsummer's night event. Love it..."
-->I said loincloths because a millennia ago, when Halloween first started, that's what they were wearing.

"...Someone posted I am over thinking. That may be true but where does it end? When is a kid allowed just to be a kid without us twisting things around to please us or our ideas? It has become the norm to buy candy from children, seriously this was given to them freely and we are buying it back? Why & how does that make sense..?"
-->I don't even know what you mean by this. If a kid can't have candy because they are allergic to it (like peanuts or chocolate) and the parents want to take them trick or treating because it's fun what are the kids SUPPOSED to do with the damn candy? Eat it any way and go into anaphylactic shock? Just throw it away?

"..I do agree with you, boycott the holiday if your religious beliefs don't support it, what the heck is the difference of doing it at your church? But I must admit, I don't really get what is so bad about it. Halloween, All Hallows Eve, Day of the Dead, All Saints Day, has been around a long long time. It has evolved & changed many times. I just see this lastest trend as extension of our (usa) societies carrot/stick approach to parenting. To motivating with pressure. To bribe or pay our way to "approved" behavior. I prefer to parent with a more natural approach. "
--> Okay, if you have a problem with a parenting method like bribing kids then start a thread about bribing kids. You started a thread about Halloween candy and how people "deal" with it at their house. That doesn't have ANYTHING to do with bribing kids!

Beautiful - posted on 10/12/2011

Im all for dancing about in loincloths..haha :)



Kate.. the way you describe your family's celebration sounds awesome.. Pagan may be the way to go for me, tell me, how does one go about becoming Pagan? Ive been told "its something your born into, you don't just choose it" which has always confused me because it is a religion and like other religions one chooses their faith.

Sally - posted on 10/12/2011

"That's like saying the only reason for Christmas is to get presents."



Didn't the pagans kind of start the whole tradition of giving gifts during the time we now call Christmas? As part of the celebration of the return of light? Of longer days and the rebirth of earth?

( I suppose Celtic's would be a more PC term then Pagan's???)

ETA- Or is it Druids? Must be Druids, now that I think about it.





And I would rather see dancing in loincloths and bonfires, then kids being motivated by bribes and greed.

Although, I think loincloth might be the wrong term for pagan garb. :)

I am all for Faerie Cakes. That is a great idea. May have to steal that idea. Maybe work it into a midsummer's night event. Love it.



Someone posted I am over thinking. That may be true but where does it end? When is a kid allowed just to be a kid without us twisting things around to please us or our ideas? It has become the norm to buy candy from children, seriously this was given to them freely and we are buying it back? Why & how does that make sense?



I do agree with you, boycott the holiday if your religious beliefs don't support it, what the heck is the difference of doing it at your church? But I must admit, I don't really get what is so bad about it. Halloween, All Hallows Eve, Day of the Dead, All Saints Day, has been around a long long time. It has evolved & changed many times. I just see this lastest trend as extension of our (usa) societies carrot/stick approach to parenting. To motivating with pressure. To bribe or pay our way to "approved" behavior. I prefer to parent with a more natural approach.

Kate CP - posted on 10/12/2011

"I wouldn't say it is a huge deal with me. I think it is the start of the demise of the holiday..."

Funny, as a Pagan I feel the same way; but for different reasons. Halloween is not a candy free for all. It's a day to remember your loved ones who have passed and to reap the harvest. It's a time to celebrate the Earth's bounty and give thanks for the life and food we receive-not to dress up as goblins and ring doorbells to beg for junk food. The idea that Halloween is a kid's holiday just for candy is not only false it's actually rather insulting. That's like saying the only reason for Christmas is to get presents.

That being said, my family LOVES Halloween and we celebrate it to the fullest here. We all dress up and yes, I'm a witch every year. Complete with hat, striped stockings and besom (that's a broom). We also leave a bounty cake for the faeries, bake traditional crescent cakes, and trick or treat. We also do Trick Or Treat for Unicef because part of Halloween is sharing in the bounty of the harvest.

I don't think less of people or pity children who don't celebrate Halloween the way my family does. I *do* think it's kind of stupid to not go trick or treating for religious reasons but still dress up in costumes and beg people for candy at church events. If you're going to boycott a holiday, then boycott the holiday.

Anywhoodle. If you're going to complain about the loss of tradition in Halloween celebration then perhaps we should go back to huge bonfires, dancing in loincloths and demon masks, and praying to the gods for a bountiful harvest?

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 10/12/2011

Yep, was just going to say the same thing, Angela. I had a few friends that didn't celebrate Halloween for religious reasons.

Angela - posted on 10/12/2011

@ Sherri I know several people who don't let their kids go trick or treating for religious reasons. The churches they attend usually have a movie night or autumn themed celebration instead so the kids don't feel left out.

Sally - posted on 10/12/2011

Maybe you missed the sarcasm?

Sally - posted on 10/12/2011

Yes, kids barter among themselves. That is child initiated play. Not parent led. Or dentist led as the case may be...

Minnie - posted on 10/12/2011

Did you miss the sarcasm? It was referring to your use of the term spoil sport. Yes, you WERE calling people names.

Sally - posted on 10/12/2011

Well, technically I used the term "spoil sport" in my opening post. You were the one who called yourself a spoil sport, I just happened to agree.

Good Day! - posted on 10/12/2011

You called Lisa a spoil sport for not allowing her children, who have a sugar intolerance, to have candy.

Next, the buy back thing is all in how one handles it. If you tell your kid, "Hey get as much candy as you can so we can make some money" sure you have a point. But honestly, you are way over thinking it. Halloween and eating candy are fun. We don't take the fun and spirit of that away. The buy back is several days from Halloween, so a young child is not going to make the connection to "collect more and sell." Like you said, a few days of candy won't hurt anyone (or most people anyway). Selling leftover candy once a year will not turn a child greedy. Parenting will do that. It's all in how you handle it.

Also, didn't you ever know a kid in school that tried to trade his candy or sell things to other kids? Kids CAN think of things like that. Let's not underestimate them.

Minnie - posted on 10/12/2011

You called me a spoil sport.

And it wasn't in relation to anyone buying back a child's candy. It was in relation to my post about the fact that we have reactions to the chemicals and sugar in candy and that's why we don't go trick or treating because -I- would feel bad taking it away.

Sally - posted on 10/12/2011

First, I don't recall calling anyone a name. I used the term "spoil sport" as a description of an attitude or ones actions. I don't feel that is calling someone a name.



Second, I don't think of it as being passionate about candy. Candy is not a daily thing in our home. it is a rare treat. What I object to, is the using of Halloween Candy as a form of currency. No child came up with the idea of "selling" their candy back to an adult. That is a 100% adult concept. How can we get the candy away from the kids? Hey lets buy it..... It is total manipulation. I think it puts a whole new spin on the holiday. I feel it is a form of bribery. Here we take you out collecting all this candy but you have to sell it. And what king of message does that send? Does it backfire and make kids want it more because it is the so called forbidden fruit? Does it make them greedy and demand payment for everything? Does it really reinforce healthy eating? I doubt it. Does the selling of candy or trading it for toys enhance the holiday? Does it really have anything to do with Fall/Harvest? I don't see how.

So, no I am not passionate about candy. I believe it is part of this holiday and the turning it into a commodity is the wrong idea and the wrong message to send to kids.

(I feel the same about using m&m's to potty train, it's not just halloween candy. Anytime candy is used as a motivator I have to disagree)

Good Day! - posted on 10/12/2011

I don't get the rant about bribes. I'm not bribing my kid with ice cream to get rid of the candy, if that's what you're getting at. On Halloween we get all dressed up, go around to all the neighbors and get scared by their decorations, collect some candy...some good stuff (snickers...yum) and some crappy stuff...we go home and all pig out on whatever we want for a few days, then we bring what's left to the dentist. If we weren't getting paid, we probably would STILL do that. It's going to a good cause and it gets the stuff we don't want (kind like those plastic crap toys) and won't eat anyway out of the house. Geez. Lighten up.